Personal Growth

The True Meaning Of Christmas

It seems that the whole world celebrates Christmas, even non-Christians. Some believers ask, "Why do we celebrate Christmas with the rest of the unsaved world? Why should we send greeting cards, buy gifts, decorate homes and trees with tinsel and lights? Isn't most of this of pagan origin and nature? We are not even sure whether December 25 is the actual day of Christ's birth, are we?

It's true, some of the holiday embellishments such as Santa Claus, baked hams, holly and mistletoe and the partridge in a pear tree have nothing in common with the first advent of the Savior. However, this holiday such as it is with all of its accumulated trappings makes the world aware that something of great import happened on that day two thousand years ago. The Son of God came to this world to save us!

Unfortunately, much of the world (including the USA) still does not have the Bible, to be able to read about the birth of Jesus and why He came. But at least, the annual celebration of Christmas, in spite of its commercialism, fantasies and gayety, continues to declare that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He came to save the lost.

Now, it's up to true believers -- not to step back and criticize the world for the way it celebrates, but rather to lovingly declare why He came. Many don't know, so let's tell them. The Apostle Paul did not criticize the Athenians when he saw all their false gods, or that they gave honor to an "unknown god." He used the occasion to point them to Christ. We know why Jesus came, therefore it is our responsibility to let the world know. We must shine like the "star" that led seekers from the East to find where Christ was.

WHY DID CHRIST COME?

He came to wage war against the devil. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifest, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8).

He came to set men free from the bonds of sin "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). and to take our punishment on Himself. "Christ died for the ungodly...while we were yet sinners Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:6-8).

He came to be our substitute, to take our punishment on Himself. "Christ died for the ungodly...while we were yet sinners Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:6-8).

He came to demonstrate the love of God toward us (who are unworthy). "God commendeth His love toward us, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Ro.5:8)

He came to reconcile us to God. "God hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 5:18). To give us eternal life (John 3:16).